Abstract
Heavy oil production presents tremendous challenges in subsurface development, production wells, and surface transport. Therefore, highly efficient transportation calls for innovative engineering processes to facilitate the transport from subsurface to downstream. In Block 192- Peru, previous production experience indicated that mixing light oil at the well production manifold to heavy oil stream was a feasible option. However, this option strongly depends on the availability of light oil. The aim of this study is to present alternatives to improve heavy oil transportation performance in the block 192.
Results of a fundamental study conducted on the heavy oil transportation performance in Jibaro, Jibarito and San Jacinto fields are presented herein where multiple possibilities are evaluated to reduce the ratio of light oil per barrel of heavy oil production (i.e. to increase the efficiency of the diluent). This study provides guidelines to select one of the three following methods: diluent injection, emulsion injection or reservoir-based technology. Previous operators performed extensive reservoir characterization and simulation modeling which led to recovering over 200 million barrels of heavy oil (up to July 2015) through Vivian sands. Therefore, this confirmed the suitability of introducing new methods to feasible transport and sell heavy oil.
Jibaro, Jibarito and San Jacinto fields are used in this study due to their significant heavy oil reserves. The complexity of these fields includes high water cut production, Heli transportable logistics and high cost of produced oil. The first method proposed in this study consists of injecting a diluent in the extraction stream of heavy oil up. The second method uses emulsion water to transport high viscous oil. The third method involves applying a technology in the extraction process to reduce the viscosity of heavy oil, and in-situ upgrade the heavy oil up to sales specifications with a consideration of long distance between fields. This study concludes that a conceptual engineering and a selection of a compatible diluent and solvent are critical. Finally, environmental permitting increases the complexity of any project in the area and the possibility to introduce new technology.
